What cognitive function is being assessed when a psychiatric technician asks a client with Alzheimer's to identify a penny?

When a psychiatric technician asks a client with Alzheimer's to identify a penny, the cognitive function being assessed is agnosia. Agnosia refers to the inability to recognize and identify objects, people, sounds, or smells, despite having the ability to see or hear them. In the context of Alzheimer's disease, which often impacts memory and cognitive processing, a client’s failure to recognize a common object like a penny can indicate difficulties in processing and interpreting sensory information related to visual recognition.

In this case, the act of asking the client to identify a penny tests their ability to recognize a familiar object and demonstrates the cognitive impairment associated with their condition. This situation highlights how certain types of agnosia can occur, where individuals may have visual perception intact but struggle with recognition due to cognitive decline.